
Bansko Jazz Festival, held every August in the picturesque mountain town of Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Celebrating its 27th edition from Augustβ―3 to 10, 2024, the festival transforms the city into Bulgariaβs jazz capital .
This international event unites jazz legends, rising stars, and passionate audiences across multiple stages β from the iconic open-air venue at Nikola Vaptsarov Square to intimate daytime concerts in parks, community centres, and even street βJazz Pointsβ .
Highlights include:
Main evening concerts (Nikola Vaptsarov Square from 8β―PM) featuring artists from over 18 countries.
Daytime jazz: starting at 11β―AM daily with young talents on the park stage, and evening βJazz Pointsβ improvisations from 6β―PM .
Late-night jam sessions at Ginger Bar, beginning at midnight .
Bansko Jazz Academy: masterclasses, workshops, and performances by emerging musicians supported by the Ministry of Culture .
Side attractions: Jazz BBQ, family games, βMeet the Audienceβ, the Jazz Museum exhibition, and the new Jazz Alley β sculptural tributes in the town centre .
Camellia Todorova & Vassil Petrov with the National Music Academy Big Band led by Mihail Yossifov (Bulgaria)
Michel Sajrawy Trio (Israel): blending Western jazz with Middle Eastern rhythms
Jason Miles Lisbon Electric 4tet (USAβPortugal): led by Grammy-winning producer/composer Jason Miles
Ceren Temel Quartet (Turkey): spirited jazz standards infused with Istanbul flair
Eastern Passage (Doykin & Karparov Quartet, Bulgaria): dynamic Bulgarian jazz ensemble
Camilla George (Nigeria/UK): visionary saxophone compositions
Anna Arco (Sweden): introspective pieces inspired by the soul of anarchism
Peter Bernstein Quartet (USA): veteran New York City jazz guitaristβs group
Emmet Cohen Trio (USA): led by acclaimed pianist and composer Emmet Cohen
The Storytellers (Cenk Erdogan & Antonio Forcione, TurkeyβItaly): musical narratives and interplay
Eastern Eye (SwitzerlandβGreeceβBulgaria): fusion of Mediterranean and Alpine jazz
AJS Quartet (Albania): powerful instrumental energy from Albania
Modern Tiny Wind Orchestra (Bulgaria): Dimitar Liolevβs innovative compositions merging Western and Eastern influences
Sketchbook Quartet (Austria): surprises in form and structure
YoβYo Band (Bulgaria): Hristo Yotsovβs fresh ensemble with Mihail Yosifov
Spectrum & FreePlay a cappella (BulgariaβCanada): genre-crossing vocal ensemble
Vicky Almazidou (GreeceβBulgaria): a tribute to Sarah Vaughan on her centennial
Mirla Riomar (Brazil): soulful Brazilian rhythms and song
Zhlehtet (Slovenia): collective led by pianist/composer Rok Zalokar
Theodosii Spassov Jazz Quartet (BulgariaβLuxembourgβSwitzerland): featuring world-class kaval
Cinzia Tedesco Quartet (Italy): blending vocal and instrumental jazz
Vertigong (Indonesia): boundary-bending contemporary jazz
Theo Croker (USA): innovative trumpet artistry from the heart of modern jazz
Alune Wade (Senegal/France): virtuosic bass performances with global depth